Bargari sacrilege case: SIT names Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim as key accused; finds no political link

The latest report submitted by SIT on Bargari sacrilege case has revealed some startling updates. Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been named as the key conspirator besides his several followers, including the three who have been absconding.

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The report was made public on Saturday when Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann handed over its copies to some Sikh leaders who have been pursuing the case. The Sikh delegation comprised Major Singh Pandori, Chamkaur Singh, Bhai Rupa, Resham Singh Khukhrana and Baldev Singh Joggewala. This is the first time that a report has been made public in this manner.

The 467-page report counters several claims made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in its investigation. The CBI had found no evidence of the Dera Sacha Sauda’s involvement and had filed a closure report. The investigation report was also submitted in a challan before a Faridkot court earlier.

The first case pertained to theft of Guru Granth Sahib from Gurdwara Sahib at Burj Jawahar Singh Wala on June 1, 2015. Then, on September 25, two posters containing derogatory remarks against Sikh religion, Sikh preachers and Guru Granth Sahib were found pasted outside Dhodha Peer Gate at Burj Jawahar Singh Wala. The third incident was reported on October 12, when the pages of Guru Granth Sahib were found strewn outside the Bargari gurdwara as well as in the village streets.

The SIT report said accused Sukhjinder Singh alias Sunny, Shakti Singh, Baljit Singh, Randeep Singh alias Neela, Ranjit Singh alias Bhola, Nishan Singh, Narinder Sharma and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh (undergoing sentence at Sonaria Jail, Rohtak) were involved in the theft incident and later in throwing around the holy pages.

Inspector-General Border Range SPS Parmar headed the five-member SIT constituted on April 4 last year on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The SIT had submitted the final report to DGP VK Bhawra and DGP Intelligence Prabodh Kumar on April 21 this year for approval.

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-PTC News